Rebecca’s Prayer for President Lincoln by Jane Yolen with illustrations by Laura Barella; Minneapolis: Minnesota: Kar-Ben Publishing © 2024; ISBN 9798765-602997; 40 pages; $19.99
SAN DIEGO – This book for children ages 5-9 tells of a Jewish family whose father lost a hand fighting for the Union in the Civil War, referencing the story of Jews having been slaves in Egypt to connect with the father explaining that he had a moral imperative to free African-Americans from bondage in the United States.
Illustrations by Laura Barella capture the fashions of men and women at the time – women wearing hoop skirts, men wearing top hats.
The narrative moves to the assassination of President Lincoln at Ford’s Theatre on a Friday night – the same time that many observant Jewish families were at their Shabbat dinners. When Rebecca’s mother lights candles, they unexpectedly flicker – symbolizing the spiritual blow to the nation.
The next morning at New York City’s Temple Emanu-El, the news of President Lincoln’s death was announced to a shocked congregation, who immediately stood and recited kaddish for the fallen President as Rebecca sobs in her father’s arms.
The book provides additional background for the story, including a photographs of Lincoln, his funeral hearse, his funeral procession, and an English translation of the mourners’ kaddish.
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Donald H. Harrison is the publisher and editor of San Diego Jewish World. He may be contacted via
